SELL IT ALL

This is a companion study to go along with our Wednesday Night Online Bible Studies. You can watch our latest Live Stream by clicking here: April 6th Online Bible Study - The Gospel - Part 4.

In Mark 10:17-23 we encounter a young man who strongly desired to inherit the eternal life Jesus was teaching about. Though young, this man had great wealth and no doubt stature in his society because of it. For a man of his wealth to kneel before Jesus was certainly an act of humility. He knew of Jesus and wanted what Jesus was offering. When this man asked Jesus how he could obtain eternal life, Jesus began to look under the hood of this man’s life. Interestingly, Jesus initially answered this question by reminding the rich young man of the Ten Commandments. Of course, Jesus knew that obeying these commandments couldn’t earn salvation, but He was testing the man’s heart.

The test came to a head in verses 21-22. Notice in verse 21 that Jesus loved the man. His command to sell everything and give it to the poor was stated in love. How do we know? Verse 22 reveals it. This man’s wealth was his idol, so Jesus attacked it head-on. What looks like an attack on the man was actually an attack on the gates of hell. Jesus knew this man’s wealth was evidence of an empty pursuit of happiness. In verse 23 Jesus acknowledged how difficult it is for people with wealth to love God and not money. And we can’t love both.

We must recognize that the rich young man wasn’t an evil businessman whose goal was to squeeze every dime he could out of everyone. He genuinely wanted to follow Jesus. He sought out Jesus and even showed some signs of submission to His authority. But Jesus didn’t want some of this man’s life; He wanted all of it. He knew this man’s heart was ultimately tied to something other than God. His idolatry was clear when the man demonstrated by his departure that he was more comfortable with losing God than losing his wealth.

Idolatry is like a tiny thread woven throughout the fabric of our lives so intricately that we feel that pulling it out will kill us. Yet because God loves us so much, His gospel always confronts our idols head-on.

REFLECT

The rich young man gave wealth more significance than anything else in his life. What in your life are you likely to give more significance than God?

Jesus employed drastic measures to try and break the idol in this man’s life. If you’ve identified your idols, what steps could you take to kick them off their pedestals?

Talk to your spouse or a trusted friend when you’re ready to take that step. They can encourage you on this gospel journey.

PRAY & MEDITATE

Greed and materialism have a way of weaving themselves so intricately into our lives that we don’t realize how toxic they can become. Ask God to make you aware of what you value more than Christ and to build a willingness, even in the small things, to submit your agenda and desires to His agenda and desires. Thank Him for caring enough about your relationship with Him that He’s willing to confront your idols head-on.

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